Bow case having an integrally-formed broadhead wrench

ABSTRACT

A bow case for transport or storage of an archery bow including a base, a lid coupled to the base, and a broadhead wrench integrally formed with either the base or lid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to a storage case, and more particularly to a case designed to store an archery bow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The fundamental design and function of a broadhead wrench is well known by those familiar with the sport of archery. Many variations of this design exist, but they all perform a similar function in that they facilitate tightening and loosening a broadhead with respect to an arrow shaft. Most importantly, the broadhead wrench reduces the likelihood of injury caused by handling the sharp blades of the broadhead. The typical broadhead wrench is approximately 1.5″ long, 1″ in diameter, and usually stored in a bow case with other accessories used by the archer. The broadhead wrench may be misplaced because of its small size and portability; this may eventually lead to injury if the archer forgoes the wrench and attempts to tighten or loosen the broadhead by hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is the general object of this invention to provide a broadhead wrench and a bow case that address the problems associated with the prior art. One embodiment of the invention is a bow case having an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. An integrally-formed broadhead wrench assures that it will not be misplaced or lost since it is integral to the bow case structure.

[0004] Another embodiment of the invention is a bow case that includes a base coupled to a lid for movement between open and closed positions. A cavity is defined between the base and lid when the bow case is closed, whereby a bow is positioned within the cavity. At least one interior support pillar extends into the cavity from an interior wall of the base or lid. A broadhead wrench is integrally formed with the interior support pillar making the broadhead wrench integral to the bow case structure.

[0005] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a bow case that includes a base coupled to a lid for movement between open and closed positions, whereby a cavity is defined between the base and lid when the bow case is closed. Two interior support pillars extend into the cavity, a first extending from an inner wall of the base, and a second extending from an inner wall of the lid. Each interior support pillar has an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. Having these integrally-formed broadhead wrenches provides a measure of convenience to the archer that has not been provided in prior art.

[0006] Further objects and advantages of the present invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bow case embodying the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of near-abutting interior support pillars of the bow case shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] With reference to FIG. 1, the bow case 10 comprises a base 12 and a lid 14. The base 12 is connected to the lid 14 by hinges 16 that allow the lid 14 to pivot with respect to the base 12 between open and closed positions. A series of latches 18 secure the base 12 to the lid 14 when the bow case 10 is closed. The lid 14 includes an interior surface that defines a partial cavity 20 and the base 12 includes an interior surface that defines a partial cavity 21. When the bow case 10 is closed, the interior surfaces of the lid 14 and base 12 define a cavity used to contain and protect a bow.

[0011] Interior support pillars 22 are integrally formed with both the base 12 and lid 14, and are located in the partial cavities 21, 20 of the base 12 and lid 14, respectively. The bow case 10 utilizes two interior support pillars 22 in the base 12 and two in the lid 14. The pillars 22 have free ends with flat-tipped surfaces 23, and the two pillars 22 on the base 12 abut the two pillars 22 on the lid 14 when the bow case 10 is closed. The pillars 22 therefore provide structural stability to the cavity by resisting the base 12 and lid 14 from being pushed toward each other when the case 10 is closed.

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates two near-abutting pillars 22. The pillars 22 each have an integrally-formed broadhead wrench that comprises a bore 24 and a plurality of slots 26 extending radially from the bore 24. The wrenches accommodate two-, three-, and four-bladed broadheads, and secure the broadhead while it is tightened or loosened with respect to an arrow shaft. The pillars 22 have longitudinal axes 28, and the bores 24 are substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axes 28.

[0013] Although the preferred embodiment includes a broadhead wrench integrally formed with each interior support pillar 22, a broadhead wrench may be integrally formed anywhere on the bow case 10 and remain within the scope of the present invention. A singular broadhead wrench or multiple broadhead wrenches may be integrally formed anywhere within or outside the partial cavities 21, 20 of the base 12 and lid 14. In addition, the interior support pillars 22 are not required to abut each other when the base 12 and lid 14 are closed. For example, the interior support pillars 22 on the base 12 may instead abut the interior surface of the lid 14, and the pillars 22 on the lid 14 may abut the interior surface of the base 12 when the bow case 10 is closed. Further, it is not required that every interior support pillar 22 include an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. Alternatively, only one of the pillars 22 could include an integrally-formed broadhead wrench and remain within the scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A bow case comprising: a base; a lid coupled to the base; and a broadhead wrench integrally formed with one of the base and lid.
 2. The bow case of claim 1, wherein the base and lid are open and closeable with respect to each other and define a cavity therebetween when closed, and wherein the broadhead wrench is positioned within the cavity.
 3. The bow case of claim 1, further comprising an interior support pillar extending away from one of the base and lid, wherein the broadhead wrench is integrally formed with the interior support pillar.
 4. The bow case of claim 3, wherein the broadhead wrench includes a bore and a plurality of slots in the support pillar.
 5. The bow case of claim 4, wherein the pillar has a longitudinal axis, and the bore is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis.
 6. The bow case of claim 1, wherein the broadhead wrench includes a bore, and a plurality of slots extending radially from the bore.
 7. The bow case of claim 1, further comprising an additional broadhead wrench, a first interior support pillar positioned on the base, and a second interior support pillar positioned on the lid, wherein the broadhead wrench is integrally formed with the first interior support pillar and the additional broadhead wrench is integrally formed with the second interior support pillar.
 8. The bow case of claim 7, wherein the lid and base are open and closeable with respect to each other, and wherein the first interior support pillar and the second interior support pillar abut each other when the lid and base are closed.
 9. A bow case comprising: a base; a lid coupled to the base, the base and lid being open and closeable with respect to each other and defining a cavity therebetween when closed; at least one interior support pillar extending into the cavity from one of the base and lid; and a broadhead wrench integrally formed with the at least one interior support pillar.
 10. The bow case of claim 9, wherein the broadhead wrench includes a bore and a plurality of slots extending radially from the bore, and wherein the at least one interior support pillar includes a tip, the broadhead wrench being positioned at the tip of the at least one interior support pillar.
 11. The bow case of claim 10, wherein the at least one interior support pillar includes a first interior support pillar extending from the base and a second interior support pillar extending from the lid, wherein the first interior support pillar and the second interior support pillar abut each other when the lid and base are closed.
 12. The bow case of claim 9, wherein the at least one interior support pillar includes a longitudinal axis and wherein the broadhead wrench includes a bore extending substantially coaxially with the longitudinal axis and a plurality of slots extending away from the bore.
 13. A bow case comprising: a base; a lid coupled to the base, the base and lid being open and closeable with respect to each other and defining a cavity therebetween when closed; a first interior support pillar extending into the cavity from the base; a second interior support pillar extending into the cavity from the lid; a first broadhead wrench integrally formed with the first interior support pillar; and a second broadhead wrench integrally formed with the second interior support pillar.
 14. The bow case of claim 13, wherein the first interior support pillar and second interior support pillar abut each other when the lid and base are closed.
 15. The bow case of claim 13, wherein the first and second broadhead wrenches each include a bore and a plurality of slots extending radially from the bore. 